Top 11 Product Coordinator Certifications

Certifications are important for a product coordinator in the job market because they demonstrate that the individual has a certain level of expertise and knowledge in their field. Having certifications can help product coordinators stand out from other applicants and show potential employers that they have a deeper understanding of the job requirements. Certifications also indicate that the individual is committed to their professional development, which can be attractive to employers. Additionally, certifications may provide access to additional career opportunities and higher salaries.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Product Coordinators and explains how they can help advance a product coordinator's career.

What are Product Coordinator Certifications?

Product coordinator certification is a program designed to help professionals develop the necessary skills and knowledge to coordinate product development and launch teams. This certification provides an understanding of product life cycle management, project management, marketing strategy, and customer experience. It also teaches individuals how to effectively manage the product lifecycle from concept to launch. By obtaining this certification, individuals demonstrate their expertise in the areas of product management, development, and coordination. With this certification, individuals can be confident that they have the skills needed to coordinate product development initiatives in an efficient manner. Additionally, having a professional certification in this area can open up opportunities for career advancement or help them stand out when applying for jobs.

Pro Tip: When selecting a product coordinator certification, look for one that offers comprehensive training on the fundamentals of product coordination and project management. Additionally, make sure the certification program covers topics such as developing product specifications, managing product development timelines, and coordinating with suppliers to ensure successful delivery of products.

Related: What does a Product Coordinator do?

Top 11 Product Coordinator Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Product Coordinators today.

1. Certified Product Manager (CPM)

Certified Product Manager (CPM) is a certification program offered by the Association of International Product Management and Marketing (AIPMM). The CPM certification is designed to recognize professionals who have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to manage product development and marketing.

The CPM certification program consists of two parts: an online course, which provides an overview of product management concepts, and an exam that tests your understanding of those concepts. The online course takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete, depending on your learning style. After completing the course, you must pass the exam in order to receive your CPM certification.

To get certified as a CPM, you must first register for the AIPMM's online course and pay the associated fee. The cost of the online course varies based on whether you are a member or non-member of AIPMM but typically ranges from $250-$500 USD. Once you have completed the online course and passed the exam, you will be awarded your CPM certification.

In addition to registering for and passing the AIPMM's online course and exam, there are other requirements that must be met in order to become a Certified Product Manager. These include having at least three years of experience in product management or related fields; demonstrating knowledge in areas such as market research, product strategy development, customer segmentation, pricing strategies; having experience with product launch processes; and demonstrating leadership skills such as problem solving and decision making.

2. Certified Professional in Product Management (CPPM)

Certified Professional in Product Management (CPPM) is a certification program offered by the Product Management Institute (PMI). It is designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated a deep understanding of product management principles, processes and practices. The CPPM certification requires that applicants demonstrate mastery of the core competencies required for successful product management.

The CPPM certification process consists of two components: an online assessment and a practical application project. The online assessment includes multiple-choice questions related to product management fundamentals such as strategy, market analysis, pricing, customer feedback, and product launch. Applicants must pass this assessment with a score of at least 70% in order to proceed to the practical application project. This project requires applicants to develop a comprehensive product plan based on real-world scenarios provided by PMI.

Applicants can expect to spend approximately six months preparing for the CPPM exam. During this time they should become familiar with the PMI’s Body of Knowledge and complete practice exams and other study materials available through PMI’s website or other sources. Additionally, applicants may benefit from attending workshops or seminars related to product management topics such as market research and competitive analysis.

The cost for the CPPM certification varies depending on whether you are an existing PMI member or not. For non-members, the cost is $595 USD; for members it is $495 USD. Once certified, CPPM holders must maintain their certification status by completing continuing education credits every three years in order to remain current in their field.

3. Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)

Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) is a certification program offered by the Scrum Alliance for product owners and stakeholders who are involved in software development projects. The CSPO certification is designed to help individuals understand the principles of Scrum and how to apply them in their organizations.

The CSPO certification program consists of two parts: an online course and an in-person assessment. The online course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of Scrum, including roles, artifacts, events, and techniques. It also covers topics such as product backlogs, release planning, sprint planning, and retrospectives. After completing the online course, participants must attend a two-day assessment event where they will be evaluated on their knowledge of Scrum and their ability to apply it to real-world scenarios.

It typically takes about four weeks to complete the CSPO certification process from start to finish. To get certified as a CSPO, you must first register with the Scrum Alliance and pay a fee of $500 USD. Once registered, you can begin your online coursework immediately. After completing the online coursework and attending the two-day assessment event, you will receive your official CSPO certificate if you pass all assessments successfully.

4. Certified Agile Product Manager (CAPM)

Certified Agile Product Manager (CAPM) is a certification program that provides product managers with the skills and knowledge to effectively manage products in an agile environment. The program focuses on the core principles of agile product management, including managing customer needs, developing a product roadmap, and leading cross-functional teams. The CAPM exam is administered by the Scrum Alliance, which is an international organization dedicated to promoting and advancing agile development practices.

The CAPM exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions that must be completed within two hours. In order to pass the exam, applicants must demonstrate their understanding of agile product management principles and practices.

In order to become certified as a Certified Agile Product Manager (CAPM), applicants must first complete an online application form and pay the associated fee. After submitting the application form, applicants will receive an email from the Scrum Alliance with instructions on how to register for the CAPM exam. Once registered for the exam, applicants will have 90 days to take it.

The cost of becoming a Certified Agile Product Manager (CAPM) is $495 USD for individuals who are members of the Scrum Alliance and $595 USD for non-members. This fee covers both registration for the exam as well as access to additional resources such as study guides and practice tests.

5. Professional Product Manager Certification (PPMC)

Professional Product Manager Certification (PPMC) is a certification program designed to equip product managers with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their roles. The certification is offered by the Association of International Product Management and Marketing (AIPMM). It is designed for product professionals who have at least three years of experience managing products, services, or technology solutions.

The PPMC program consists of four courses: Foundations of Product Management, Advanced Product Management, Strategic Product Leadership, and Professional Practices in Product Management. Each course takes around 10 hours to complete and includes online lectures, interactive exercises, case studies, and quizzes. There are also optional elective courses that can be taken for additional credit.

To get the PPMC certification, you must pass all four core courses with a score of 80% or higher. You must also complete two elective courses within 12 months after passing the core courses. Once you have completed the requirements, you will receive your PPMC certificate from AIPMM.

The cost of the PPMC certification varies depending on which options you choose. The full program costs $1,995 USD but there are discounts available for AIPMM members and those who purchase multiple certifications at once.

6. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and understanding of project management principles and practices.

The CAPM certification requires applicants to have at least 1,500 hours of project experience or 23 hours of formal education in project management. In addition, applicants must pass an exam administered by PMI. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes three hours to complete.

To get the CAPM certification, you must first apply for it through PMI's website. You will need to provide proof of your project experience or educational background, as well as pay an application fee. Once your application has been approved, you can register for the exam online and pay the exam fee. After passing the exam, you will receive your official CAPM certificate from PMI.

The cost for obtaining the CAPM certification varies depending on whether you are a member of PMI or not. For non-members, the total cost is $555 USD ($405 USD for the application fee plus $150 USD for the exam fee). For members of PMI, the total cost is $405 USD ($300 USD for the application fee plus $105 USD for the exam fee).

7. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is the most widely recognized and respected project management certification in the world. The PMP credential demonstrates a professional’s expertise in leading and directing projects.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to prepare for and obtain the PMP credential. To become certified, you must meet certain eligibility criteria, including having a minimum of 4,500 hours of experience leading and directing projects as well as 35 hours of project management education. You must also pass an exam that covers five areas: Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring & Controlling, and Closing.

The cost of obtaining the PMP credential varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of PMI. For non-members, it costs $555 to take the exam; for members it costs $405. Additionally, there are fees associated with maintaining your certification once you have obtained it. These fees range from $60-$150 per year depending on your membership status with PMI.

Overall, obtaining the PMP credential can be an expensive endeavor but it is worth it for those who want to demonstrate their expertise in project management and advance their career opportunities.

8. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is a professional certification that recognizes individuals with an advanced understanding of the Lean Six Sigma methodology and its tools and techniques. It is designed to help professionals improve their process improvement skills, enabling them to drive greater efficiency, effectiveness, and quality in their organization.

The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification requires approximately 25-30 hours of coursework and typically takes between 4-6 months to complete. The coursework includes instruction on the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) process; the 5S (Sort, Set in Order, Shine/Cleanliness, Standardize/Stabilize, Sustain) system; and other Lean Six Sigma tools such as root cause analysis and process mapping.

To obtain the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification you must pass both a written exam and a practical project assessment. The written exam consists of multiple choice questions covering topics such as DMAIC principles, data analysis techniques, problem solving methods, project management concepts, and more. The practical project assessment requires candidates to demonstrate their ability to apply Lean Six Sigma principles by completing an actual process improvement project from start to finish.

The cost for obtaining the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification varies depending on the provider but generally ranges from $1,000 - $3,000 USD.

9. Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP)

Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) is a certification for professionals who have experience in the Agile project management methodology. It is offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) and is designed to demonstrate knowledge of Agile principles, practices, and tools.

The ACP certification requires that candidates have a minimum of 21 contact hours of education in Agile practices and pass an exam. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as Agile values and principles, team dynamics, planning and estimating, product delivery, and continuous improvement.

The exam takes approximately three hours to complete and costs $435 for PMI members or $495 for non-members. Candidates can register for the exam online through the PMI website. Once registered, they will receive an email with instructions on how to schedule their exam at a testing center near them.

Once the candidate passes the exam, they will be awarded their ACP certification from PMI. This certification is valid for three years from the date it was earned and must be renewed every three years by completing 60 professional development units (PDUs).

10. International Association of Project and Program Management (IAPPM)

The International Association of Project and Program Management (IAPPM) is an international, non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of project and program management. It was established in 2006 to promote the professional development of project and program managers around the world.

IAPPM provides a variety of services, including professional certification, training, research, and networking opportunities. Its members include professionals from all industries who are involved in project or program management.

To become a member of IAPPM, you must first complete an application form and submit it with a fee. The fee varies depending on your membership type; for example, the fee for individual members is $50 USD per year. After submitting your application form and payment, you will be contacted by IAPPM staff to confirm your membership status.

Once you have been accepted as an IAPPM member, you will receive access to exclusive resources such as webinars, podcasts, conferences, forums, and more. You may also be eligible for discounts on courses related to project or program management offered by IAPPM partners.

In addition to these benefits, IAPPM offers two levels of professional certification: Certified Project Manager (CPM) and Certified Program Manager (CPG). To obtain CPM or CPG certification you must pass an exam administered by IAPPM that covers topics such as project planning and control, risk management, resource allocation, budgeting and scheduling. The cost for taking the exam is $200 USD for individuals or $400 USD for groups of three or more people. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete.

Overall, becoming a member of IAPPM can provide many benefits for those interested in advancing their career in project or program management.

11. American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS)

American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS) is an international professional association that provides education, certification, and networking opportunities to individuals in the fields of operations management and supply chain management. APICS offers a range of certifications, including Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM), and Certified Fellow in Production and Inventory Management (CFPIM).

It takes approximately six months to complete the certification process. The first step is to register for the exam with APICS. Once registered, you can purchase study materials from APICS or through third-party vendors. After studying, you must pass a proctored exam at an approved testing center. After passing the exam, you will receive your certificate within four weeks.

The cost of obtaining an APICS certification varies depending on the type of certification you are pursuing. The CSCP certification costs $695 for members ($995 for non-members) while the CPIM and CFPIM certifications cost $495 for members ($695 for non-members). Additional fees may apply if you need to retake an exam or purchase additional study materials.

In addition to the cost of obtaining a certification, there are also annual membership fees associated with becoming an APICS member. Membership fees range from $50-$400 per year depending on your level of membership.

Do You Really Need a Product Coordinator Certificate?

Whether or not you need a product coordinator certificate depends on your own personal goals and the requirements of your employer.

If you are looking to start a career in product coordination, then a certificate may be beneficial for getting your foot in the door. Employers often look for applicants with specific qualifications, and having a certificate can show them that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in this role. It can also demonstrate that you are serious about pursuing this career path and will have an edge over other applicants who don’t have any certifications or experience.

On the other hand, if you already have experience in product coordination, or if your employer doesn’t require certification as part of their job description, then it may not be necessary to get one. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether or not getting a product coordinator certificate is worth the time and money spent on it.

Related: Product Coordinator Resume Examples

FAQs About Product Coordinator Certifications

1. What qualifications do I need to become a Product Coordinator?

Answer: Generally, you will need a combination of education and experience related to product coordination, such as a high school diploma or equivalent, plus two or more years of relevant job experience.

2. How much does it cost to get certified as a Product Coordinator?

Answer: The cost of certification can vary depending on the organization offering the certification. In general, it typically costs around $200-$500 for the application fee and exam fees.

3. How long does it take to receive my certification after applying?

Answer: After successfully completing all requirements, you should receive your certification within 8-10 weeks.

4. What are the benefits of becoming a certified Product Coordinator?

Answer: Becoming certified demonstrates commitment to professional development and knowledge in the field of product coordination. It can also help open up more opportunities for career advancement and pay increases.

5. Are there continuing education requirements for Product Coordinators?

Answer: Yes, most certifying organizations require that you complete continuing education credits in order to maintain your certification status. Typically these consist of courses or seminars related to product coordination topics such as inventory management and customer service best practices.